27 Bible Verses about Circumcision, spiritual

For he is not a Jew, who is one outwardly, nor is that circumcision, which is outward, in the flesh; but he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is of the heart, spiritual, not literal, whose praise is not of men, but of God.

For circumcision is indeed a benefit to thee, if thou keep the Law; but if thou art a breaker of the Law, thy circumcision hath become uncircumcision. If then he who is uncircumcised keep the precepts of the Law, shall not he though uncircumcised be regarded as circumcised? Yea, those who are by nature uncircumcised, if they perform the law, will judge thee, who having a written Law and circumcision, art a breaker of the Law.

Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God.

For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision; but faith working by love.

Seeing there is but one God, who will accept the circumcised as righteous by faith, and the uncircumcised through faith.

Even as Abraham "believed God, and it was accounted to him as righteousness."

Doth this blessedness belong to the circumcised alone, or to the uncircumcised also? For we are saying that Abrahams faith was accounted as righteousness. How then was it so accounted? After his circumcision, or while he was uncircumcised? Not after he was circumcised, but while he was uncircumcised. And he received the outward sign of circumcision as a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had while he was uncircumcised; that he might be the father of all the uncircumcised who have faith, so that righteousness might be put to their account also;read more.
and that he might be the father of the circumcised, who are not circumcised merely, but who tread in the steps of that faith which our father Abraham had while yet uncircumcised.

What then is the advantage of the Jew? or what the benefit of circumcision? Great, every way. In the first place, because they were entrusted with the oracles of God.

And there came down certain men from Judaea, and taught the brethren, Unless ye are circumcised after the custom of Moses, ye cannot be saved. But when Paul and Barnabas had had no small dissension and debate with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain others of them, should go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and elders about this question. They therefore, having been sent forward by the church, passed through Phoenicia and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the gentiles; and they caused great joy to all the brethren.read more.
And having come to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church, and by the apostles and elders, and they related what great things God had wrought with them. But there rose up certain believers of the sect of the Pharisees, saying, It is necessary to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses. And the apostles and the elders came together to consider this matter. And after much debate, Peter rose up and said to them, Brethren, ye know that a long time ago God made choice among you, that by my mouth the gentiles should hear the word of the glad tidings, and believe. And God, who knoweth the heart, bore them witness, giving them the Holy Spirit, as he gave it to us; and made no difference between us and them, having purified their hearts by faith. Now therefore why do ye provoke the anger of God, by putting a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? But we believe that we shall be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, in the same manner as they. And all the multitude became silent, and listened to Barnabas and Paul, while they related what great signs and wonders God had wrought among the gentiles by them. And after they had done speaking, James answered, saying, Brethren, hearken to me. Simeon hath related how God first visited the gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name. And with this agree the words of the Prophets, as it is written: "After this I will return, and will rebuild the tabernacle of David which hath fallen; and I will rebuild its ruins, and will set it up; that the rest of men may seek after the Lord, and all the gentiles, who have been called by my name, saith the Lord, who doeth these things, which were known from the beginning." Wherefore my judgment is, that we should not trouble those who from among the gentiles are turning to God;

And the apostles and the brethren throughout Judaea heard that the gentiles also had received the word of God. And when Peter went up to Jerusalem, they that were of the circumcision contended with him, saying, Thou didst go in to men uncircumcised, and didst eat with them.

While Peter was yet speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell on all that heard the word. And those of the circumcision who believed, as many as came with Peter, were astonished that on the gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Spirit; for they heard them speaking with tongues, and magnifying God. Then answered Peter,

And Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is not a respecter of persons,

But when Cephas came to Antioch, I withstood him to the face; for he was condemned. For before certain persons came from James, he used to eat with the gentiles; but when they came, he withdrew, and separated himself, fearing those who were of the circumcision. And the other Jews also dissembled with him; so that even Barnabas was carried away with their dissimulation.read more.
But when I saw that they were not walking uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas in the presence of all, If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of gentiles, and not that of the Jews, how is it that thou compellest the gentiles to keep the customs of the Jews? We are Jews by nature, and not sinners of the gentiles; but knowing that a man is not accepted as righteous by the works of the Law, but by faith in Christ Jesus, we also have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be accepted as righteous by faith in Christ, and not by the works of the Law; for by the works of the Law shall no flesh be accepted as righteous.

Stand firm in the liberty with which Christ made us free, and be not again bound fast to the yoke of bondage. Behold, I Paul say to you, that if ye are circumcised, Christ will profit you nothing; yea, I testify again to every one who becometh circumcised, that he is bound to keep the whole Law.read more.
Ye are entirely separated from Christ, who seek to obtain righteousness through the Law; ye have fallen away from grace. For we through the Spirit by faith steadfastly wait for the hope of righteousness. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision; but faith working by love.

But not even Titus, who was with me, though he was a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised; and that because of the false brethren stealthily brought in, who crept in to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring into bondage; to whom not even for an hour did we yield by the required subjection, that the truth of the gospel might still remain with you.

to the end that in Christ Jesus the blessing promised to Abraham might come to the gentiles, that we through faith might receive the Spirit which was promised.

Ye were running well; who hindered you, that ye should not obey the truth? This persuasion came not from him that called you. A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump.read more.
I indeed have confidence in regard to you in the Lord, that ye will be no otherwise minded; but he that troubleth you shall bear his judgment, whoever he may be. But as for me, brethren, if I still preach circumcision, why do I still suffer persecution? Then hath the cross ceased to be a stumblingblock. Would that they who unsettle you would quite cut themselves off!

As many as desire to make a fair show in the flesh, these are constraining you to be circumcised, only that they may not suffer persecution for the cross of Christ. For not even do they who become circumcised themselves keep the Law; but they desire to have you circumcised, that they may glory in your flesh.

Beware of the dogs, beware of the evil workmen, beware of the concision. For we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God, and glory in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh;

For there are many unruly vain talkers and deceivers, especially they of the circumcision; whose mouths must be stopped, since they overturn whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for the sake of base gain.

in whom also ye have been circumcised with a circumcision not performed by hand, in putting off the body of the flesh in the circumcision of Christ, having been buried with him in your baptism; in which also ye were raised to life with him through faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead;

where there is no Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bondman, freeman; but Christ is all, and in all.

though I myself have reason for confidence even in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath reason for confidence in the flesh, I more; circumcised the eighth day, of the race of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; as to the Law, a Pharisee; as to zeal, persecuting the church; as to the righteousness which is in the Law, blameless.read more.
But whatever things were gain to me, those for the sake of Christ I have counted but loss. Nay more, I count all things to be loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as refuse, that I may gain Christ, and be found in him, not having my own righteousness, which is of the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God upon faith;

in whom also ye have been circumcised with a circumcision not performed by hand, in putting off the body of the flesh in the circumcision of Christ, having been buried with him in your baptism; in which also ye were raised to life with him through faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead; and to you also who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he given life together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses;

And he received the outward sign of circumcision as a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had while he was uncircumcised; that he might be the father of all the uncircumcised who have faith, so that righteousness might be put to their account also;

Now he who maketh us with you steadfast in Christ, and anointed us, is God; he who also sealed us, and gave the Spirit as a pledge in our hearts.

in whom ye also, after having heard the word of truth, the glad tidings of your salvation, in whom, I say, having also believed, ye were sealed with the Holy Spirit that was promised,